Review of IRA status hinges on murder inquiry

The gardaí’s “fresh assessment” of the Provisional IRA will depend entirely on what the PSNI investigation into the murder of former paramilitary Kevin McGuigan reveals, it has emerged.

The Irish Examiner understands that any reappraisal of the gardaí’s current view — that the PIRA does not exist as a paramilitary body — will be determined by whether or not the PSNI believes the murder was “sanctioned” at an organisational level.

The Garda assessment of the status is not expected to involve any wider investigation of the organisation on this side of the border.